Officers joining transit agencies from around the country to boost safety

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Members of the media film construction of the platform being built on the west front of the U.S. Capitol in preparation for the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. The presidential inauguration ceremony will take place on Jan. 21, 2013. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Nearly a dozen Dallas Area Rapid Transit police officers are heading to Washington D.C. to assist with safety and security during the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Washington D.C. transit officials expect 800,000 people to attend the inauguration and, as they did in 2009, have asked transit agencies from 16 U.S. cities to provide approximately 150 officers as extra support.

DART, which also provided support for the 2009 inauguration, will send 11 officers to the nation's capital this year. DART said officers were selected for the honor based on recommendations from supervisors as well as their overall performance, dependability and dedication. The officers will go through a week of training and familiarization in Washington D.C., before being deputized into service for Inauguration Day.

According to DART, "the group will be assigned to assist and support the security efforts of their counterpart transit agency, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), by increasing their staffing levels in key areas associated with inauguration activities."

Providing additional security for the inauguration isn't just for show. In 2009, a transit officer from Houston pulled a woman to safety after she fell on the tracks, NBCWashington reported.

Thousands of law enforcement officers from around the country will be participating in the inauguration in some capacity. Each participating officer will earn a commemorative badge in honor of their service, DART said.